Combination waste disposal and step stool device



H. M. GREER Aug. 20, 1968 COMBINATION WASTE DISPOSAL AND STEP STOOLDEVICE Filed Dec. 9, 1966 United States Patent 3,397,757 COMBINATIONWASTE DISPOSAL AND STEP STOOL DEVICE Harold M. Greer, 17 Hightop Lane,Jericho, N.Y. 11753 Filed Dec. 9, 1966, Ser. No. 600,519 4 Claims. (Cl.182-335) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination waste disposal andstep stool including a generally rectangular frame, and a step elementmounted for rectilinear movement into and out of said frame a wastedisposal unit positioned within said frame, said step element beingclear of contact with said waste CllS- posal element when moved withinsaid frame to occupy an inoperative position.

This invention relates generally to the field of kitchen appliances, andmore particularly to an improved combination waste disposal and stepstool device, permitting the convenience of having both functions at acommon location, while occupying a minimum of space.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provideimproved construction of this type which may, when not in use, be ofgenerally rectangular, vertically-oriented configuration, so as tooccupy a mininum of floor space.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedcombination waste disposal and step stool construction in which theretractable step elements, when in inactive position are positionedWithin the confines of a hollow rectilinear frame element in such manneras to avoid interference with a waste receptacle also disposed at leastpartially within said frame element.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedcombination waste disposal and step stool device, in which the cost offabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale,distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improveddevice of the class described incorporating a plurality of stepelements, one of which is slidably arranged with respect to the frameelement, and another of which is pivotally arranged with respectthereto, together with means interconnecting the step elements so thatmovement of the first step element will automatically result incorresponding movement of the second step element.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of first andsecond step elements having the above-described movement, and linkagemeans, which are so constructed that the positioning of the first stepelement in operative position serves to support the second step elementin similar position.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of improvedcombination waste disposal and step stool construction which may beconveniently operated by those possessing only ordinary skill andstrength, with a minimum of efiort.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of independent linkagemeans for opening and closing the waste disposal component of the devicein conventional fashion.

Another feature of the invention lies in the unusually attractiveappearance of the disclosed embodiment.

A further feature of the invention lies in the fact that substantiallyall of the space disposed within the hollow 3,397,757 Patented Aug. 20,1968 frame element which encloses the operative components thereof isutilized to the fullest extent.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the followingdisclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective, partially broken away to show detail,of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view in perspective, on a somewhat enlarged scale,showing the device in fully opened condition.

FIGURE 3 is a similar view in perspective, with certain of the componentparts removed to show detail, corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 2,showing the waste disposal means in relatively closed condition.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, comprises broadly: a frame element 11, a firststep element 12, a second step element 13, a third step element 14,operating linkage means .15, and a waste disposal element 16.

The frame element 11 may be suitably constructed of wood, metal, orother material possessing sufficient strength, and includes fourvertical support members, 18, 19, 20 and 21, disposed at thecorresponding four corners thereof. The members 18-21, inclusive, areinterconnected by laterally extending members 22, and longitudinallyextending members 23, to form a rectangular solid defining a hollowinterior, in which the elements 12, 13, 14 and 16, and the means 15, areselectably disposable.

The frame element 11 defines an opening 24 at the upper portion thereof,which is fitted with a mounting board 25 having a rectangular opening 26therein for supporting the upper periphery of the waste disposal element16. Side panel members 27, 28 and 29 are fitted to three of the foursides of the frame element, leaving an opening 30 on the fourth sidethereof to accommodate movement of the first and second step elements 12and 13. A floor panel 31 provides means for supporting the first stepelement 12 during movement, and preventing contact of the same with thefloor supporting the device (not shown).

As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 in the drawing, the first step element12 is of generally rectangular configuration, and includes a pair ofside walls, one of which is indicated by reference character 34, a frontwall 35, an upper wall 36, a lower wall 36a, and vertical supportmembers 37 and 38 which extend upwardly from the upper surface of thewall 36. The forward and rearward edges 39 and 40, respectively, of theelement 13 are spaced apart a distance substantially less than theforward and rearward edges 41 and 42, respectively, of the frame element12, thus permitting the element 12 to be positioned completely withinthe frame element when in inoperative position (see FIGURE 1). In likemanner, the side edges 43 and 44 are spaced apart a distance less thanthe inner edges 45 and 46 of the vertical members 20 and 21,respectively, for the same purpose. As will more fully appear, the innersurfaces 47 and 48 of the support 37 and 38, respectively, are spacedapart a distance sufiicient to clear the waste disposal element 16 whenthe first step element 12 is in inoperative position.

The second step element 13 is of generally rectangular configuration,and it is mounted for rotation about a pivotal axis 51 between thevertical members 20 and 21. The axis 51 is located parallel to andadjacent the inner edge 52, and the outer edge 53 thereof extendsoutwardly,

54 to contact the upper edges of the vertical supports 37 and 38 whenthe elements 12 and 13 are in operative position.

The third step elementv 14 forms a lid for the waste disposal element 16positioned therebeneath, and is pivotally mounted upon the upperperiphery of the frame element 11. It includes a planar member -6, theupper surface 57 of which may be suitably covered for appearance, theplanar member 56 being mounted upon a peripheral frame 58 having hingemeans 59 and 60 to permit pivotal movement with respect to the frameelement 11.

The operating linkage means 15 is provided for the purpose of couplingmovement between the first and second step elements. 12 and 13,. andincludes a pair of vertically disposed slots 63 in the side walls 34 ofthe first step element 12. The slots 63 engage pins 64 on the ends 65 ofcurvilinear links 66 mounted for rotation on a shaft 67 interconnectinga pair of brace members 68 and 69 extending between vertical members 18,20, and 19, 21. The opposite ends 70 of the links 66 are interconnectedby means of pins 71 to rectilinear links 72, in turn connected by pins73 to curvilinear links 64 on the second step element 13. From acomparison of FIGURE 1 with FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be apparent thatwhen the second step element 13 is swung downward and forward, bypulling the hand hold 55, from an inoperative position, the links 66will rotate about the shaft 67 to transmit their outward rotationalmovement to the first step element 12, thereby projecting element 12from the closed position of FIGURE 1 to the outward operative positionas seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. Returning the second step element 13 to itsinoperative position will result in opposite rotational movement of thelevers or links 66 and the first step element 12 will be returned to itsinner position putting the device in the condition shown in FIG- URE 1.

Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3, a pair of trunnions 76 support a-pintle 77 and lever 75 for pivotal movement. The free end 78 of lever75 extends outwardly away from of the vertical member 18, being disposedwithin a slot 79 therein, while the inner end 80 is provided with a pin81 interconnecting the same with a vertically arranged link 82. The link82 includes an upper end 83 having a pin 84 interconnecting to a shortlink 85, the opposite end of which is secured to the under surface ofthe planar member 56. Pedal pressure upon the free end 78 will result inupward movement of the third step element 14, and upon release of thepedal pressure the member 56 will return, under the attraction ofgravity, to a closed position shown in FIGURE 1.

Waste disposal element 16 is prefer-ably in the form of a largesynthetic resinous molding, including an upper peripheral flange 87adapted to be engaged within the rectangular opening 26, as well asdownwardly extending side walls 88 and a lower wall 89 positioned abovethe upper surface of the upper wall 36, so'as to clear the same when thefirst step element is moved to inoperative position.

Owing to the fact that the first step element is of unusually strong andsolid construction, the second step element is adequately supported by aforce which is transmitted directly to the floor uponwhich the device issupported, thereby eliminating all possible tendency for the device totip when stood upon by a user. r

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled. inthe art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A combination waste disposal and step stool device comprising: agenerally rectangular frame element, at

. least one step element mounted upon and arranged for rectilinearmovement between operative and inoperative positions with respect tosaid frame element, said step element in inoperative position being atleast partially disposed within said frame element, and in operativeposition extending through a vertically arranged opening therein, saidframe element having a horizontally arranged opening and waste disposalmeans having a principal vertical axis disposed therein, said stepelement in inoperative position being free of contact with said wastereceptacle means.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 including a second step elementpivotally mounted upon said frame element above said first step element,and movable between operative and inoperative positions with respectthereto, said second step element in inoperative position lying in avertical plane adjacent said waste receptacle means.

3. Structure as in claim 2 in which said first-mentioned step element inoperative position contacts and supports said second step element uponcontacting the under surface thereof.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in theprovision of linkage means interconnecting said first-mentioned andsecond step elements for simultaneous movement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,681,879 8/1928 Putnam 182-33.52,900,011 8/1959 Casey 182-33.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 9,130 11/1841 Great Britain.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

